ASCOT AND FENWICK REVEAL THE SEVENTH ANNUAL ROYAL ASCOT MILLINERY COLLECTIVE

ASCOT RACECOURSE AND FENWICK REVEAL THE SEVENTH ANNUAL MILLINERY COLLECTIVE

Ascot Racecourse and Fenwick, Royal Ascot’s Official Millinery Sponsor, have joined forces with 12 of Britain’s milliners to present a collection of uniquely designed pieces consisting of both established British brands and new talent.

The requirement for this year’s Royal Ascot Millinery Collective was that the chosen milliners should create a spectacular piece that invoked memories of dream-like couture pieces of a bygone era heralding a return to the British Summer season of occasions in what is Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

Milliners involved in the 2022 Collective include: Philip Treacy OBE, Stephen Jones OBE, Edwina Ibbotson, Vivien Sheriff, John Boyd, Sarah Cant, Victoria Grant, Justine Bradley-Hill, William Chambers, Lisa Tan, Jessica Collins and Maggie Mowbray.

Ascot worked with world-renowned photographer and fashion director Damian Foxe to capture the hats in a timeless and beautiful way. The Collective was showcased in the Rosewood London, where its palatial staircases and corridors provided a timeless backdrop to the beautiful pieces, creating photographs that have a contemporary yet classically elegant feel.

Racing stylist Sarah Kate Byrne styled the millinery perfectly from a curated selection of fashion from Fenwick, adding pre-loved pieces also available from their new in-store collection. From brands such as vintage Dolce & Gabbana and Emilia Wickstead, to Olivia Rubin and Pleats Please, there is plenty of texture and colour to inspire racegoers this year.

As well as styling classic occasion wear looks, Sarah Kate demonstrated how to have fun and showcase your individual style. From styling a dress back to front, for a chic buttoned-up-the-back look, to using a waist tie as a neck scarf to complete a look in an alternative way, these small touches show how one garment can be styled in multiple ways to offer a different look.

The 12 looks comprise classic Royal Enclosure styles alongside ideas for dressing for the Queen Anne Enclosure and Village Enclosure where the dress code varies, as well as inspiration for the Windsor Enclosure where, despite no official dress code, racegoers are still encouraged to dress for a formal occasion.

Innovative millinery is the crowning accessory to the Royal Meeting each year and the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective, now in its seventh year, celebrates the truly spectacular ‘wearable art’.

Felicity Barnard, Commercial Director, Ascot Racecourse, said:

“The millinery and fashion found in this year’s Millinery Collective demonstrates the anticipation and excitement people have for getting dressed up again and aligns with our new creative direction that celebrates innovation and individual style. While we will always be a heritage British occasion, we also encourage people to find the joy in formalwear and what better self-expression than a truly magnificent piece of millinery that can be treasured for years to come.

“Both our photographer Damian Foxe and stylist Sarah Kate Byrne have captured the very essence of the symbiotic relationship between millinery and the Royal Meeting, and we are delighted to launch our seventh Millinery Collective in partnership with Fenwick who continue as our Official Millinery Sponsor.”